Thursday, March 31, 2005
A rare sight
Picture Courtesy Vikatan.com
The above picture is clicked at Yuvanshankar Raja’s marriage. Do I need to say that this is a historic picture for Tamil film industry? Both Illayaraja and Rahman seldom come out and seeing them in same function is the rarest of sights. Immediately after seeing the picture I remember some good old days (not too long ago guys). Days in which friends argue who among the two are - The best. The scene will look like dogs fighting with each other for nothing in the corner of a street. Few will stand by illayaraja’s all time hits and few will cite Rahman’s craze in the market. And I’ll also bawl with my words supporting Rahman (read as - whip illayaraja with words).Particularly my arguments with Arun never ends. And I’ll come back home and enjoy illayaraja’s hits. Now you understand why I chose the title “Muranpaadu” .Its not just with me but with all, I suppose. And now I realize that these two persons should never be compared. You should compare their works and not them. Illayaraja has a strong liking for folk music and melodies where as Rahman also loves to rock and be catchy. Both of them are really exceptional in their work. It has been long since Illayaraja come up good with Tamil film songs. And Rahman shines only in Manirathnam’s movies. I wish these two geniuses treat us often with their magic’s.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Yes we stumble yet again
India lost the third test match to Pakistan. Though losing a test match is nothing new for India, the way in which we lose matches is agonizing. We had all ten wickets (few of them are entitled as world class, should I include Ganguly?!), yet we lurched. It’s a shame on us. From the magazines that I read I assume that, the days plan was built around Shewag. “If he hits then we’ll try for a win else we will go for a draw”, Sounds good. But didn’t they plan how to execute it? Playing dot balls (Cricketing cliché – Amit Varma style) are not the only way to save a test. Ganguly even refused to leave the pitch after getting out(better luck next time Dada).Getting quick singles and few hard bat swings when we have more fielders around us will work as well. These activities will reduce the number of fielders surrounding you from six to four thereby reducing the opportunity to get wickets. I feel this option is not as risky as playing dot balls with seven people around you. Didn’t the captain, his deputy and coach think of this? Its simple guys.
This is not the first time we failed miserably. It happens so often that we loose our heads in crunch situations. In most situations common sense didn’t prevail. We dig our own hole and blame something else. (What about spreading this as match fixing?)
So stop claiming that we are second best Test team and have strongest middle order line up. We didn’t deserve it. So yet another series goes begging as in the past. We’ll forget these mistakes and get ready to watch the next mess. Foolish – isn’t it? To err might be human but making errors too often is not.Sorry Mr.Wright all your lessons and efforts so far is in danger.
This is not the first time we failed miserably. It happens so often that we loose our heads in crunch situations. In most situations common sense didn’t prevail. We dig our own hole and blame something else. (What about spreading this as match fixing?)
So stop claiming that we are second best Test team and have strongest middle order line up. We didn’t deserve it. So yet another series goes begging as in the past. We’ll forget these mistakes and get ready to watch the next mess. Foolish – isn’t it? To err might be human but making errors too often is not.Sorry Mr.Wright all your lessons and efforts so far is in danger.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Experiences with diverse cuisines
Here is my experience with different type of restaurants here in Edmonds.
Taste of Thai: First other country food that tried was Thai food @ Taste of Thai. My first experience was not that much encouraging as we were served by a Thai women who just had nostrils and no nose! Wondering how God came up with this design. Ordered some Tofu related stuffs and rice. I assumed that tofu is an equivalent of paneer. But the taste made my assumption go awry. And more over they cooked it with coconut oil (my god I am not aware of this fact).The only thing that was really good was the tea they provided. Really excellent. Moreover it is free of cost and unlimited! (No Ramkumar, u just can’t have tea alone – yes the same kolkatta Ram).Though first experience was not good the second was quiet ok as we informed them not to use coconut oil and avoided Tofu.
T&T Seafood Restaurant: The experience that I would like to forget is with this Chinese restaurant. We entered the Chinese sea food restaurant; of course they do serve veggie. As soon as I entered my eye balls started undulating. Everyone was using sticks to eat rice and noodles. I hardly touch even spoons to eat those. We went for veggie fried rice and Black mushroom Japanese tofu (nothing else was available for veg). Just let my eyes for a small tour around the restaurant. The cooking area has a lot of small fish tanks. When u order for a particular variety of fish they just grab them and cook them immediately (oh zees).The waiter served us veggie fried rice with Egg! And this is a million dollar question which is never answered. Is egg Veg or Non Veg? Damn it why don’t we have a universal answer for this. As per our request he changed it for us. Black Mushroom Japanese tofu - We never knew what it is, just ordered because it had mushroom in the name. Believe me it is nothing but Elephant shit - Hideous. And here also they gave Tea for free which is good, in terms of taste. That day’s dinner(?!) was just Tea.
Azteca Mexican Restaurant: This experience was also amusing. They have something called tortilla similar to our chappathi.Went for enchiladas espinaca. (Who knows what the **** is this.)Mmh directly to trash is the best we can do with that.
Olive Garden - Italian Restaurant: The most scrumptious food of all diverse cuisines I had so far. Mouthwatering dishes. Appetizer – Bruschetta,Minestrone - A kind of tomato soup. Then ordered Spaghetti delle Rocca and finished off with a pizza. Shockingly the pizza in an Italian restaurant was not that good. But rest of all items was delicious. Alongside had Chocolate Almond Amore (with no alcohol).Though Pasta is a famous Italian dish, I avoided that. (Had one bad experience in an East India Cuisine).
And the conclusion is try Chinese and Mexican dishes at your own risk. While trying make sure that doesn’t make a big hole in your pocket. Never miss the opportunity to visit an Italian restaurant.
My favorite dish which is unbeatable - Steamed Rice seasoned in water for a whole night and with raw small (pearl) onion toppings. (ada namma palaya sooru-nga)
Taste of Thai: First other country food that tried was Thai food @ Taste of Thai. My first experience was not that much encouraging as we were served by a Thai women who just had nostrils and no nose! Wondering how God came up with this design. Ordered some Tofu related stuffs and rice. I assumed that tofu is an equivalent of paneer. But the taste made my assumption go awry. And more over they cooked it with coconut oil (my god I am not aware of this fact).The only thing that was really good was the tea they provided. Really excellent. Moreover it is free of cost and unlimited! (No Ramkumar, u just can’t have tea alone – yes the same kolkatta Ram).Though first experience was not good the second was quiet ok as we informed them not to use coconut oil and avoided Tofu.
T&T Seafood Restaurant: The experience that I would like to forget is with this Chinese restaurant. We entered the Chinese sea food restaurant; of course they do serve veggie. As soon as I entered my eye balls started undulating. Everyone was using sticks to eat rice and noodles. I hardly touch even spoons to eat those. We went for veggie fried rice and Black mushroom Japanese tofu (nothing else was available for veg). Just let my eyes for a small tour around the restaurant. The cooking area has a lot of small fish tanks. When u order for a particular variety of fish they just grab them and cook them immediately (oh zees).The waiter served us veggie fried rice with Egg! And this is a million dollar question which is never answered. Is egg Veg or Non Veg? Damn it why don’t we have a universal answer for this. As per our request he changed it for us. Black Mushroom Japanese tofu - We never knew what it is, just ordered because it had mushroom in the name. Believe me it is nothing but Elephant shit - Hideous. And here also they gave Tea for free which is good, in terms of taste. That day’s dinner(?!) was just Tea.
Azteca Mexican Restaurant: This experience was also amusing. They have something called tortilla similar to our chappathi.Went for enchiladas espinaca. (Who knows what the **** is this.)Mmh directly to trash is the best we can do with that.
Olive Garden - Italian Restaurant: The most scrumptious food of all diverse cuisines I had so far. Mouthwatering dishes. Appetizer – Bruschetta,Minestrone - A kind of tomato soup. Then ordered Spaghetti delle Rocca and finished off with a pizza. Shockingly the pizza in an Italian restaurant was not that good. But rest of all items was delicious. Alongside had Chocolate Almond Amore (with no alcohol).Though Pasta is a famous Italian dish, I avoided that. (Had one bad experience in an East India Cuisine).
And the conclusion is try Chinese and Mexican dishes at your own risk. While trying make sure that doesn’t make a big hole in your pocket. Never miss the opportunity to visit an Italian restaurant.
My favorite dish which is unbeatable - Steamed Rice seasoned in water for a whole night and with raw small (pearl) onion toppings. (ada namma palaya sooru-nga)
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Edmonds at its Best
Today is the best ever Sunday I had so far .No its not that India have won or I have got a Girlfriend. The day started with gloomy sky. Got up late (as usual).Had scrumptious Brunch made by Raj (its 200% true guys!) .Few drizzles started to strike my window. Cool breeze kissed my face as I slowly released the glass door. Lost myself in the wind and drizzle for few minutes. Decided to go out. Colleagues gave an option for shopping Mall. No I have to go for a saunter - I said. Dressed up soon and came out – Umbrella folded upside down (as shown in most Tamil films – no heroine fellas only hero is here). Went straight to Terravida and ordered an Herbal Mint Tea. Took my own time in couple of signals and looked at the murky clouds. And one more accumulation to this is, spring has officially (?!) started here. No need to mention about the colorful flowers around the sidewalks here, mind blowing scenes. Just now landed in office (where else to go?) .No doubts that this is one among the best walks I have ever had. Only thing I miss now is the people back home who accompanied me for such walks earlier in my life. Listening to all Mazhai related songs.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Expectations and disappointments in CM songs
No politics. I just meant Chandramukhi songs. The film has 5 Tamil songs and one Telugu song. Don’t know what the rationale behind this Telugu song is. My recommendation is: you need not download this song. Better forget this song. Vidyasagar rocks in all songs. The songs are tailor-made for Rajini fans. The displeasure comes in lyrics. No lyric is appealing yet. Most lines were pretty ordinary. Yes this opinion might change after few more listening. Definitely Vairamuthu’s absence is felt. Since we don’t know when Rajini will come up with the next film he should have opted for Vairamuthu. And also it has been long since Yesudas showed up. Still amma yendru(Mannan) and oru pen pura(Annamalai) is ringing in my ears. I expected a song similar to Raajiyam illai (BaBa) or Vidugathaiya (Muththu). I don’t think Asha Bhosle is a right choice for the song Konji Pesa. Even athanda ithanda(Arunachalam) kind of words are working fine for Rajini what is the need for Devuda Devuda? I am not always finding fault with others it’s just a thought. Though lots of my expectations are missing, I will go ahead and enjoy it. Wondering why still Ramadoss has not started yelling about Telugu lyrics in Tamil songs (Devuda Devuda).
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Global Rich List
Are you interseted to know where u are in the global rich list ? Here is the site that calculates your position.You just need to enter your annual income.Below is my position.I am in the top 14.27% richest people in the world.mm still a long way to go.
I'm the 856,507,116 richest person on earth! Discover how rich you are! >> |
Monday, March 07, 2005
Roommate is leaving
My roommate whom I bugged for the last seven months is going back to India. Calling him room mate is not apt because from the moment I entered into my corporate office I am with him (no need to say that he had been with me in all my miseries so far). There are chances that if I use his real name he might file a defamation suit. Let’s call him Bob Kaly (yes named in relation with the same Boys - Babu Kalyanam!).I thought publishing an article about him would be a noble gesture. I’ll list out things that I admire in him?! First is his reflex. By the time he reacts to your query you could travel to Pluto twice! Upgrade your processor dude. Do you want to know the reason behind Chennai’s water scarcity? Bob Kaly is top among the list. He opens the water tap and exits for a dream – always. This is not the time for duets. You are not allowed to do this mate, especially in Chennai. I wish his mom reads this and slaps him on the ear when he does this again. And now comes shopping skills. He thinks in all feasible angles before shopping. The problem is he keeps on thinking and never shops. The time he spent @ Wal Mart and Alderwood Mall, we could have bought the entire shop! He actually taught me how not to shop. To my aghast he bought a Sony Camcorder without any major hunt! Bob Kaly is an idle companion (no not ideal).We both used to stare at our apartment roof for hours together. I wish he doesn’t think of the same girl whom I dream. His way of settling of scores is completely different. He forces me to a bollywood movie. Without knowing this plot I went for Black. Thank God I refused for Kisna and few others. By the time I publish this blog he should be having scrumptious Aloo Paratha in his home and detest me for this write up. So all these fun have ended now. Looking forward to work with you ASAP mate…Could anyone please check whether my Zodiac sign is good and stars are still holding same position after his departure? Watch for this blog - Redchilly, which he maintains. Who knows he might come up with his rants.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Sunny Day @ Downtown
After a loooooong time we had a whole day sunny ,couple of weeks ago here at Seattle. Yet another tardy post. Though it was sunny it was too windy and the wind temperature was around 40F.Still explored the Downtown beauty to the Max.First place to visit was Seattle Aquarium. A surprise awaited us - Feb 19th to 27th was Octopus Week! We had an event named Octopus release. Nothing great. They had an octopus in a box and released it in the Sea in front of spectators. So I got something to raise my collar (I have watched octopus release live!).Silly?! I loved the way Sea otters took sunbath. They had few colorful fishes. Next place is cruise. First time in life! I enjoyed the cruise. It had a bar in it. As you all know I am man of great ethics - I don’t drink. A guy was explaining about all the famous buildings near the seaside (history graduate?!). Then had a Lunch at Red Robins. Any guesses? Garden Burger. What else is available for veggies here? Then went to the top of Space Needle, one of the top tourist spots here. It was built in 1961.It is 605 foot long. The view of the city was awesome from the top. They have a revolving restaurant in the top. It takes 45 mins to complete a single rotation. One logical flaw is that the restrooms are not revolving. So when you leave your table for few mins then after returning, you’ll scratch your head – where is my table? As they charged separately to enter into restaurant we didn’t find it to be attractive. The Sun and the sky were at its best colors by around 5:30PM.Enjoyed Sunset with a Starbucks coffee. Yes you do have a coffee shop also at top. Though the coffee left a bitter taste the trip was sweet. Click here for pics…
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Rajkumar Dhanasekaran,currently residing in Glen Allen, VA, US
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